HITTING THE EXPORT TRAIL TO DUBLIN

Over 60 delegates from companies from across the UK are heading to Dublin today from Manchester and Heathrow Airports as part of the largest Export Insight visit organised by UK Trade & Investment (UKTI).

The trip is part of a drive by UKTI to stimulate economic growth by introducing more companies to exporting.

Companies from the Merseyside region joining the party include Sutcliffe, Paver Smith, Liverpool Food and Craft School, K2 Architects, Deci Ltd and Document Direct, all from Liverpool. SOG Ltd from Runcorn, Polaris Media Management from Ellesmere Port and Cloud4Computers from Leigh are also attending in order to find out more about boosting their business with export sales.

The two-day visit, organised by UKTI North West, will give new and inexperienced exporters the opportunity to benefit from a programme of networking and training events, including a welcome from Ambassador Dominick Chilcott, presentations from Simon McKeever, Director of UKTI Ireland and various senior directors and partners from a range of Irish companies, covering topics such as banking, professional and legal service, logistics, marketing, business culture and legal issues.

As many of the companies on the visit are from the important food and drink sector, a trip to Dublin food stores has been arranged and there will also opportunity to hear from two North West companies who are already successfully trading in the market – Hidef Aerial Surveying from Cleator Moor in West Cumbria and ACDC lighting from Backbarrow, Lancashire. Both companies were chosen last year to join the first group of UKTI Export Champions, using their experience and success to help mentor

companies who are new to exporting.

The Export Insight visits, which cost just £99 for two days, aim to provide an affordable way to introduce businesses to the principles of international trade, and will give companies a comprehensive introduction to help them expand their business horizons.

Residents in Ireland spend an average of £3,558 on British goods every year, and the country is currently the North West’s fifth largest export market. The value of exports from the region during 2011/12 was estimated at £1.2 billion.

Ireland is also the UK’s largest importer of food and drink products, and the country’s young population – with a third of people aged between 25 and 44 – makes it attractive to exporters.

This event is one of over 3,000 events taking part in Ireland as part of The Gathering 2013 www.thegatheringireland.com/ . While companies will get an opportunity to learn more about exporting and the Irish market they will also have time to take in some of the culture and will be encouraged to come back for other Gathering events.

“The trip will be a great introduction to what exporting is all about, and Ireland is a good country to choose as your first export market due to its close proximity and links to the UK.

“Just under half of our exports still go to EU countries so they’re a sensible choice for new exporters as the cost of flights and transportation is relatively inexpensive. Once you’ve successfully exported to one country, it also makes it much easier to start targeting others.

“UKTI North West aims to get 1000 new companies exporting this year, and I hope that this week’s Export Insight visit will give many of them the incentive they need to give it a go.”